While Goa is still considered paradise to some, it has a long way to go before other aspects fall into place and make it truly amazing to live in. And for this reason, there are students that prefer to go abroad to study. Of course, studying abroad comes with its own difficulties. One has to not only register for classes but also find accommodation, if it’s not provided by the academic institution, and even get a job just to make ends meet. Similarly, 16 students from the V. M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education (VMSIIHE) are getting to experience this firsthand. They will be studying abroad, in Portugal and learning some money at the same time.
Studying abroad: Learning and Earning in Portugal
Everyone dreams of working abroad. For 6 students of VMSIIHE, the dream has come true. Not only do they get to study in the beautiful country of Portugal but each gets a paid 6-month internship while there.
The students from VMSIIHE reached Portugal recently. Along with studying, they will be interning at various hotels and resorts in the holiday region of Algarve. The hotels chosen for the project are The Lake Resort & Spa, Algarve, Vilalara Thalassa Resort, Algarve and Troia Design Hotel, Troia all managed by the Blue & Green Hotels & Resorts, Portugal; Praia d’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, Obidos, Portugal, and Pine Cliff Portugal, Algarve. Studying abroad is going to be much fun for these 16 youngsters as they will also be working in various departments at each of the hotels. Not to forget that the internship is a paid one, making it all the more worthwhile.
This initiative is a result of an MOU signed between VMSIIHE and Turismo de Portugal in the presence of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa when he was in Goa on a state visit early last year. Professor Irfan Mirza, Director of V. M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education has been instrumental in forging a collaboration between the two nations. The knowledge exchange programme between the two countries has seen a collaborative effort in various fields in the past year. These include research, training, teaching-learning methods and other aspects.
Not the first time for such an initiative
This particular internship is just one initiative out of many. last year a group of students from VMSIIHE embarked on a month-long culinary journey to Portugal. The programme included lectures, masterclasses by experts, wine appreciation sessions and visits to culinary institutes. The VMSIIHE students showed off their talents with Indian cuisine and culture while in Portugal. In turn, the institute hosted a group of international students from various hospitality schools in Portugal in February this year.
The idea behind it was to promote professional knowledge and cultural integration in the field of Hospitality and Tourism both in Portugal and India.
If one is looking to get experience while studying in the hospitality sector, VMSIIHE is a great place to do just that. Check out their official website for more details on courses offered along with other information.
The official website for VMSIIHE – https://www.vmsiihe.edu.in/
Information credit – VMSIIHE
ItsGoa/JUNE/KDGP
Correction – Please note that a total of 16 students are on the paid internship to Portugal and not 6 as originally mentioned.
